BEFORE Astrid could even turn around. Soone had already hugged him from behind. The person behind threw his body at him with so much force that it almost felt like a cannon ball had hit him.
He didn't have to fully turn around to see the person behind. He just had to turn his gaze down a bit to know who it was.
What he first saw was a head full of silver hair. The eight-year-old boy raised his head and his sapphire blue eyes twinkled as he looked at him.
"Brother Aster, I missed you!"
Astrid unknowingly smiled. Although he quickly noticed the gaze of the people around focusing on them, and they would most likely recognized, or at least have a clue as to which family he was from, in a minute or so, he didn't care as much as he should have.
He crouched down a bit and gave the boy a quick, tight hug. "It's been too long, Nikki." He let go of the other and he acted like he was asuring his height. "Did you get taller?"
Nicol seed to be very pleased when he heard that, as evidence of the huge grin that appeared on his face. "Yes. After all, I'm eight years old now."
Ah yes, the practice of adding a year to one's age with the onset of each new year was the way of counting age in this era. Similar to how so Asian countries in his past life did.
But the reason for that was because most of the people in this era were 'born' in a lab. So, technically, no 'birthing' was happening. The day the parents picked up their child in the lab would be the date of their official birthday. It would be the one put on official docunts.
That's why celebrating one's birthday was not really a big deal in this era. Although most nobles did do parties and stuff, it's not really for the sake of celebrating one's birth but rather just another reason to show their family's opulence to other noble families.
So, technically, to other people, he and Reas were both 19-year-olds now since a new year had already passed. But they were still 18 in their parents' eyes. After all, ever since they were born, their parents hadn't missed celebrating their birthday.
Their birthday had always been a special day for the family. A small party full of love and warmth. And good food, of course.
But since both he and Reas were in the capital now, they might not be able to celebrate their birthday together this year.
Astrid turned his focus back to the boy in front of him. "Now that I see it, you're really starting to look like a little gentleman."
Nikki raised his chin and puffed up his chest, showing how proud he was. He then ran around Astrid.
"Grandpa said that your pictures are being taken here while you're modelling the clothes for Uncle Casey's company. Is this one of the clothes? You look really pretty in it!"
Astrid quickly understood how Nicol suddenly appeared here. It was likely the duke who had soone brought the kid over.
And then, he suddenly felt the gaze of the people around more intently. If they now realized which family Nicol belonged to, then it would be easy to infer that the 'grandpa' and 'Uncle Casey' he was referring to, could possibly be Duke Grimaldi and Cassius Grimaldi.
He wouldn't be surprised if so of the people here assud that he was from so collateral line of the Grimaldi family. Then they would talk about it with people they knew who most likely also worked in the entertainnt industry. After that, a rumor would start to float around that he's so Nepo baby who relied on his family to reach his current success.
That kind of rumor would be just a level better than people finding out that the Empire's prince was in love with him.
Astrid could already feel a headache coming. Even if this rumor didn't make it to the public, since the Grimaldi family's PR team would definitely not allow their na to be dragged to the gossip mill, it could still spread in the entertainnt industry like wildfire.
The funny thing was, he's not from so collateral branch, but a direct like. The duke being his grandfather and all.
He's not blaming Nicol though. He's a kid. He's just excited to see a big brother he liked very much. Besides, how could he even think how his words could potentially affect him?
Although he couldn't help but rember that one instance during the launch party of EMMA's new perfu line. This situation was almost a copy of that.
Before he could think of how to do so damage control, a voice that's not too loud and yet still carried authority echoed in the manor's lobby.
"Nikki, you should not hound Mr. Townsend. He's still at work."
Astrid turned his gaze to the duke. The other was no longer wearing the overalls he was wearing earlier, but rather a comfortable, but still obviously high-end shirt and slacks. With his silver hair not styled, he didn't look much like a grandfather of three.
Sotis, Astrid couldn't really get used to how people in this era who were the sa age as the other could look like they were in their early 30s or sothing. It's like being in a twilight zone or sothing.
The duke walked in their direction. The staffs who were still loitering around imdiately felt intimidated as he walked passed by them. Even if they hadn't seen a picture of him online, with how he carried himself and that intimidating atmosphere, surely they would recognize who he was.
Seeing as how they didn't know whether to bow or what, it's already clear that they had recognized him.
"My apologies, Mr. Townsend, for my grandson's overenthusiasm. You know how much he likes you," the duke said. "That last ti at the launch party, I wasn't able to properly thank you. It's a good thing that Cassius arranged this. Now I can finally say thank you." He looked straight at Astrid, his eyes softening.
"Thank you for saving my grandson."
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